Besides a filthy rugby league rumour, there's nothing more I
love than an underdog story.

Rocky Balboa, Jeff Horn and Steven Bradbury are some of my
all-time favourites, and I might be adding Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to
my list.

Like last season, the Warriors fullback has flown well under the
radar, but nothing gets past the eye of The Lurker.

A slow end to the year saw him finish fifth on the 2017 Dally M
leaderboard in an underwhelming season across the ditch.

But New Zealand look in much better knick, on the verge of
securing a finals spot with some consistent footy under their
belt.

Much of the praise can be laid on their skipper who is currently
three points behind leaders James Maloney and Kalyn Ponga, needing
just one man of the match performance to equal the lead.

Believe it or not, the bookies still have Ponga listed as a $4
favourite despite suffering a hamstring injury that could keep him
out for up to the month, while Maloney - who still has to get
through the Origin finale - is shortly behind at $6.

Third-place Tuivasa-Sheck is a handy $9 and I'll be flipping the
couch inside out for any spare change to put on it.